Woman held for punching paramedic, spitting at nurse

November 28, 2009

A Southeast Side woman who sought medical attention after ingesting illegal drugs was arrested Friday after she punched a paramedic who tried to help her and spat on a nurse at the hospital where she was taken, Chicago police said this morning.

Kimberly Jones, 40, of the 8000 block of South Burnham Avenue, was charged with aggravated battery to first aid personnel and possession of a controlled substance, both felonies, and misdemeanor battery.

About 5:30 p.m. Friday, police responded to a call of a suspicious person in the 2500 block of East 72nd Street and stopped Jones. Jones told the officers she was having breathing problems after ingesting the drugs, police said, prompting the officers to call for paramedics who tried to give her medical attention.

As Jones was being interviewed by a 33-year-old male paramedic, she punched him in the face for no apparent reason, police alleged. They said she was then restrained and taken to South Shore Hospital, where she continued her combative behavior, and even spat in the face of a 38-year-old male nurse.

Police said they also found a small amount of drugs on Jones. She was treated and released from the hospital and taken into police custody.